How to Be Less Naive

Co-authored by Samantha Fox, MS, LMFT

Last Updated: September 20, 2024 Fact Checked

Someone might call you "naive" if you are overly trusting or lack experience in the world.^{[1]
X
Research source} Naive people are often so trusting of others around them that their natural innocence results in them getting cheated or hurt. Naiveté isn't always a bad thing; it may help you be more optimistic and entrepreneurial.^{[2]
X
Research source} To be less naive, open yourself up more to new experiences, travel more, and meet people of various backgrounds. This will open up your view of the world and give you more experiences to reference in the future. You also want to take certain precautions in social situations.

How to Stop Being Naive at a Glance

Meet people from different backgrounds to expand your worldview.
Be open to trying new things and seeking new experiences.
Get out of your comfort zone and do things that intimidate you.
Travel more to learn new things and become more sociable.
Volunteer to connect with new people and see different perspectives.

For popular FAQs on being less naive, jump to more common questions.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Opening Your Eyes to the World

Download Article

1
Meet people from different backgrounds. Sometimes, people are perceived as being naive because their worldview is narrow or they have only limited life experience. Getting out and interacting with people who live distinctively separate lives can be a learning experience that helps you understand the world with greater nuance.^{[3]
X
Trustworthy Source

Kansas University Center for Community Health and Development
Community-based research center focused on supporting public health development and education

Go to source}
- You might be naive because you grew up well-off and are blind to those less fortunate than you. Having friends from different socioeconomic backgrounds can help you to appreciate how fortunate you are.
- Individuals who grow up in small towns often are naive to urban lifestyles. Visiting a city and connecting with people who live there can empower you and bring you knowledge about worlds different than your own.
- Friendships between people from different cultures helps you to develop empathy for all human beings and respect other cultures' beliefs and practices.^{[4]
  X
  Trustworthy Source
  
  Kansas University Center for Community Health and Development
  Community-based research center focused on supporting public health development and education
  
  Go to source}
- You could try joining a cultural club in your community or learning a foreign language. If you know people from other cultures and walks of life, ask them questions (politely, of course) about their customs, views, and experiences. You can only learn as much as you're willing to listen.
2
Engage in novel experiences. Some naive people are that way because they were raised in very sheltered environments. Maybe your parents didn't allow you to go to parties or hang out with other kids your age, so you missed out on certain experiences.
- Make up for lost time by doing all the exciting activities you can think of to change your perspective of the world and the people in it. Go skydiving, hike/camp through a national park, write a novel, or learn a new language.
- Novel experiences stimulate new brain cell growth.^{[5]
  X
  Research source} So, not only are you expanding your behavioral repertoire and collecting stories to tell, but you're also benefiting brain health.
Advertisement
3
Go beyond your comfort zone. When you have always done things a certain way, it can be challenging to suddenly change the direction of your sails. However, you will never know exactly how talented you are or what you are capable of if you don't break out of the box you've been in.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- Don't settle for an ordinary life just because you're comfortable. Strive for the extraordinary in all your endeavors. You will become more knowledgeable about the world in the process.
- Stepping out of your comfort zone may help you to reinvigorate your life and get in touch with a part of yourself that, up until now, lies dormant. Claiming more new and challenging opportunities results in greater productivity, enhanced creativity and satisfaction.^{[7]
  X
  Research source}
4
Travel more. Whether it's to the next state over or around the globe, visiting new places makes the world smaller. You instantly shed your "green" skin and become more worldly with travel.^{[8]
X
Research source}
- Naive individuals may have underdeveloped social skills, making them less likely to get out there. However, by traveling the world, you can acquire social skills and transform the way you view and interact with others locally and globally.
- Solo travel, for example, boosts your natural instincts and challenges you so that when you return home, making new friends, eating alone in a restaurant, or seeing a movie on your own are all much easier. Flying solo also enhances your confidence and removes the focus of a companion, increasing your chances of meeting new people and participating in new experiences.^{[9]
  X
  Research source}
- Just make sure you commit to being open to new experiences. "Culture shock" upon encountering a culture that's different to what you're used to is very real and may be even more significant if you're a fairly naive person. Accept that when you travel, you will encounter experiences and people who are very different and that you may even have times when your experiences make you uncomfortable. That's all part of learning about life in other places.
5
Volunteer. Just as connecting with others from different backgrounds gives you a new perspective on life, so does helping out those in need. In addition, to helping you stomp out your inexperienced self, your efforts will also solve problems and improve communities.^{[10]
X
Trustworthy Source

HelpGuide
Nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free, evidence-based mental health and wellness resources.

Go to source}
- Believe it or not, volunteering is even good for your health. It has positive effects on physical and mental health, including giving people an increased sense of purpose and fulfillment.
- Consider what you have to offer. Many volunteering opportunities require no special skills, but if you're great with computers or a "people person," you may find opportunities that suit your skills and personality.^{[11]
  X
  Research source}

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Being More Careful Socially

Download Article

Once you get out there more, you will realize that, no matter where you are, there are both good people and bad people. Be aware of the kind of people around you.
2
Determine if people are trustworthy. Give people a chance to show you who they are before you put your trust in them. It's okay to enjoy people's company without letting them get too close too fast.^{[12]
X
Expert Source

Samantha Fox, MS, LMFT
Marriage & Family Therapist

Expert Interview. 19 January 2021.}
- If you have a tendency to get too close too fast, bring someone along for initial meetings with new acquaintances so that you can get a second opinion before beginning new friendships or relationships.
- If someone you've known for a long time suddenly does something hurtful to you, use your previous relationship with them to decide what to do. If they've otherwise been trustworthy and you think they're genuinely sorry, it might be worth giving them a second chance—or, you might decide the relationship is no longer sustainable.^{[13]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Samantha Fox, MS, LMFT
  Marriage & Family Therapist
  
  Expert Interview. 19 January 2021.}
3
Identify the signs of dishonesty. Meeting someone new can be fresh and exciting, but you need to watch for certain indicators that a person may not have your best interests at heart.^{[14]
X
Research source}
- Not all liars look away while telling a lie. The most experienced liars can hold eye contact even when being deceitful.
- Fidgeting may be a sign of dishonesty, especially if it only occurs during specific incidents or stories rather than being a general habit.^{[15]
  X
  Research source}
- Other body language that indicates dishonesty includes frequent throat clearing or swallowing, a hand near the base of the neck (such as toying with a necklace), leaning backward, or a lack of "emphatic gestures" such as pointing or head tilting. No one sign is proof that the person is lying, and many of these behaviors could just be a sign of nervousness. However, if you see several of them at once, it may be a sign of dishonesty.^{[16]
  X
  Research source}
- Be wary of new people who are extremely interested in you. Individuals trying to learn too much about you too quickly are a red flag, particularly if they are concerned about your personal life, work, or financial situation. These people may have an underlying motivation to be friends with you.
4
Listen more, talk less. Engage in surface-level conversations until you feel more comfortable with new acquaintances. Listen more to what the other person says rather than sharing so much about yourself. Plus, this kind of behavior with new friends can be a perk since most people enjoy talking about themselves and are often thrilled to have a willing listener.
- Keep your secrets close to your vest. Naive people often trust strangers too quickly. Don't let anybody know about your personal life and business except for your family and a trusted best friend or partner. Avoid over-sharing.
- Refrain from talking impulsively.^{[17]
  X
  Research source} If you are a person who rarely thinks before you speak, take action to avoid saying things you might regret. Pause and ponder your words before speaking.
5
Learn to read people. What people say and what they feel deep inside are usually two different things. Words make up only 7 percent of our communication. 55 percent is body language and 30 percent is tone of voice.^{[18]
X
Research source}
- Is your acquaintance leaning away from you versus toward you? This could reveal that this person does not like you.
- Are your acquaintance's hands tucked under legs, in pockets, or behind the person's back? This could reveal that the person is not interested in the conversation or interaction.
- Check for questionable body language. An open-arm posture facing you square on is indicative of someone who is comfortable with what's going on.
- Is your acquaintance grinding teeth or pursing lips? These are indicators that the person may be feeling tension in the current situation.
- If deep down, you think someone is fishy or dishonest, distance yourself from this person immediately. Learn to trust your instincts.
6
Recognize that you can't "fix" people. Sometimes, people may be called naive if they believe that they can "fix" others by helping them, loving them, believing in them, etc. This is particularly common in romantic relationships. To become less naive, acknowledge that each person is responsible for his or her own behavior and actions.
- For example, a common sign of an unhealthy romantic relationship is that a person believes that s/he can "love" the other person into giving up unhealthy behaviors or becoming a better person. While you can certainly support your partner, you can't "fix" someone by loving.
Even if you are naive, you still have something unique to offer the world. In fact, naive people may take more risks and be more productive than more experienced people who are always second-guessing themselves. Learn to accept how you are naturally.^{[19]
X
Research source}
You will not change from being naive overnight. Allow yourself a period of time to adjust to being more discerning of those around you. Go on a sabbatical from starting any new relationships for a while until you feel more capable of judging the intentions of others.

Common Questions: Defining “Naive”

Does naive mean immature?

Naivety is associated with immaturity, but they’re not the same. “Immature” means “not fully grown or developed” or incomplete, whereas “naive” simply means someone lacks knowledge or experience about something. Some very mature people can be quite naive about some topics!

Is naive the same as dumb?

No. Very intelligent people can be naive about certain things! Being “dumb” implies someone is foolish, unintelligent, or has poor judgment. Being naive simply means someone has a lack of experience or wisdom that may affect their decision-making (but not their intelligence).

Is naive a compliment or insult?

Being called naive is often intended to be an insult, it’s not always interpreted this way. Some people view naivety as a form of optimism or innocence!

Tips

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Name

Please provide your name and last initial

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

When in a new environment or meeting with a new acquaintance, always make someone aware of where you are by giving them an address or a way to reach you in case of emergency. Always meet new people in public places.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
The downsides of oversharing go beyond in-person conversations. Be mindful of not sharing personal details on social media, as well.

Thanks
Helpful 3 Not Helpful 0